Overseas coal boom bodes well for US companies

The extent of the expected overseas coal boom can be gauged by the demand for dry bulk ships, which transport coal and other commodities such as iron ore and grain. As growth in emerging markets such as China and India accelerates, so does the demand for raw materials, which in turn drives up shipping rates. As dry bulk rates climb even higher, it becomes more vital for regions such as Europe and Brazil to import coal from closer to home, which gives U.S. companies the edge over traditional powerhouses such as Australia.